USBE told finances are solvent; board to finalize FY25 closeout and load FY26 budgets

Deborah Jacobson, assistant superintendent of operations for USBE, told members of USBE's board on the agenda's budget item that the agency "is financially solvent, and we're well equipped to cover any current and ongoing obligations."

Jacobson said the board adopted the budget earlier in the meeting and that staff will "be actively loading budgets for FY26 over the next couple of weeks" while also conducting FY25 closeout activities.

The remarks came during agenda item 12, the monthly budget report and the discretionary funds update. Jacobson said several discretionary projects are approaching closure; some will be closed at the June meeting while others will be carried through the closeout process and returned to the board in the fall for decisions about whether to continue or reallocate funds.

When a board member asked about the status of funding for a strategic-plan facilitator that has been going through procurement, the member said they wanted to "merge the old superintendent with new superintendent" as part of the transition planning. Jacobson responded that the facilitator funding "will move into our closeout package, and then we'll bring it back to you as something that has not been completed in FY25," at which point the board will decide whether to continue the activity or add funding.

Jacobson also noted that closeout activities for FY25 have already begun. No vote tallies, motions, or mover/second details for the earlier budget adoption were recorded in the transcript for this item.

The board then moved on to the next agenda item, the discretionary report (agenda item 12.2); Jacobson said current discretionary balances are shown in the upper right of the report and that items are "winding down." Members were told staff will bring finalized closeout information and recommendations back at future meetings, including the June meeting and in the fall.